Chapter 21: Back to Class

August 28, 1983, McKinley, Ohio

When I got up on Sunday morning, I showered and dressed, and then Kristin and I left my room, and I found a note from Angie on the corkboard next to my door. It said she was getting a ride to church from the same woman who had picked her up the previous night, and I shouldn't wait for her. I shrugged, locked the door, and gave Kristin a quick kiss. She headed down the hall towards her room, and I walked over to the elevators and pushed the 'Down' button. An elevator arrived a few seconds later, and I got in. I pressed 'L" for the lobby, and the doors slid closed.

As the elevator descended, I wondered about Angie and decided that, most likely, she was trying to put some space between us, which made quite a bit of sense. That gave me a strong indication that she wouldn't be running with me. I was sure she'd still go to karate because it wasn't just her and me but also Robby and Lee. In the end, though, it was up to her, and I wasn't going to worry about it beyond being available if she did need a ride at some point in the future.

When I arrived at church, I donned my cassock and then went into the building. I performed my duties, getting everything in the altar ready for the services, and when it was time, received Father's blessing to vest. Once I put on my vestments, I took my place and waited for the services to begin. Three-and-a-half hours later, I reversed the process, getting a blessing to remove my vestments, then headed to the church hall.

"Subdeacon Michael?" a female voice said from behind me. "Would you sit with us?"

I turned to see Yuliana and Angelina and suppressed a laugh. I was now 'fair game' because Angie was sitting with the 'young adults', as the kids who had graduated High School were referred to with regard to Sunday School. That would start the weekend after Labor Day and would cut short the social time after the service.

"Sure," I replied.

I fixed a plate of food, got a cup of coffee, then followed the girls to a table where several of their friends were sitting. Lunch with six High School girls had certainly not been my plan!

"Subdeacon, is it true you don't have a girlfriend now?" Elizaveta, who I was pretty sure was a Freshman, asked.

"Yes, it's true," I replied, knowing I was about to experience the exact thing Liz had said was true back at Holy Transfiguration!

The girls were suddenly MUCH more attentive, but with the possible exception of Angelina, they were all too young. Elizaveta was cute as a button, short and compact, but likely only fourteen, which put her off-limits for YEARS, despite the obvious intent of her question.

"Katy left for California, right?" Viktoriya asked.

She was around sixteen and very peppy.

"That's right," I replied.

"And you and Angie broke up?"

"We were never anything more than just friends," I replied.

"Oh!" she breathed.

"You're studying to be a doctor, right?" Oksana asked.

She was the same age as Viktoriya and was easily the prettiest girl at the table, with bright blue eyes and golden blonde hair.

"Yes," I replied, taking a bite of some very good bread that one of the women had baked.

The last girl, Serafima, was very quiet, and I recalled seeing her standing in the furthest back corner of the nave every Sunday as if she was afraid to approach too close to the altar. I wondered if she'd even say a word.

"Will you work around here?" Oksana asked.

"Probably," I replied. "But a lot depends on where I'm assigned for my Residency."

"You don't get to choose?"

"I get to list the places I prefer, but it's up to the hospitals to decide. I'll try for the closest ones first."

"Are you going to be a deacon?" Yuliana asked.

"That's up to the bishop, not me."

"You have to marry first, right?"

I nodded, "Unless I plan never to marry, yes."

"But you want to marry, right?"

I nodded, "Yes, but I suspect I have plenty of time. Vladyka knows I want to have a family."

"But the sooner you had a family, the sooner you could be ordained, right?"

I nodded, "In theory, yes, but I'm in no rush to be ordained a deacon!"

"What about finding a new girlfriend?" Elizaveta asked.

I smiled, "There's no rush there, either."

"But don't you want one?" she asked, batting her eyelashes.

That was actually a very good question. Did I actually want a girlfriend? Or was it better, now, just to spend time with my friends, have Kristin to keep me warm, as it were, and not worry about a romantic relationship? And even if I DID decide I wanted to date someone regularly, the High School girls were off-limits. Even the Seniors, who were currently seventeen, were three years younger, and that just seemed like too much. Maggie and Tasha got passes because of previous relationships, but despite the interest of a gaggle of cute girls, I wasn't going down that route. MAYBE when they graduated, if I wasn't seeing anyone.

"Eventually, yes," I replied. "School starts again tomorrow, and that has to be my top priority. Once I get into the swing of things, then I'll worry about that."

"Are you teaching Sunday School?" Oksana asked.

"Not this year," I replied. "I talked to Father Nicholas about it, but I don't have time to prepare lessons. I'll attend the adult Sunday School class that Deacon Grigory leads."

"But you'll eat with us beforehand?"

"Sure," I agreed.

They were all smiles while we finished eating. After I said 'goodbye' and left the church hall, I smirked, wondering exactly how what I imagined would be a brewing 'catfight' for the 'right' to be my girlfriend would turn out. It really didn't matter because until they graduated, I wasn't going to get involved with them beyond the after-Liturgy meal.

When I arrived back on campus, Clarissa was waiting in the lounge and jumped up as soon as she saw me come in. We hugged, then went into my room where I put on The Present by the Moody Blues, and we sat on the couch.

"Last night was interesting," I said.

"Oh?"

"Tasha basically called me out about our upcoming talk."

"Called you out?"

"About the fact that I wasn't going to ask her to marry me after she graduates. And the conclusion she drew from that."

"Which was?"

"That there was a good chance we'd never marry."

"She's right, isn't she?"

"Probably, though I don't think there is zero chance."

"Does she?"

"No, I guess not, but I believe she thinks the odds are less than 50-50."

"I think that's probably right," Clarissa said. "So what happened?"

"She said she wants to fool around with me, no commitments, no promises."

"Nice try, Petrovich! But I'm not going to take the bait."

I smiled and shook my head. "No bait. Truth. Her specific words were, 'And if I were to relieve you of that promise? With no commitments and no new promises on your part? Then what?'"

Clarissa's eyes went wide, and she gasped, "Wait! You're NOT joking, are you?"

"Not on something like that, Lissa, especially not to you."

"But you've been teasing a lot lately, so, you know..."

"I know. But this is different."

"And if she's serious, not about the sex, but about the likelihood you two won't marry..."

"Sophia said the same thing," I interrupted. "My options went from seemingly infinite to zero after Janey and I broke up."

"Just, uhm, well, wow! So?"

"You tell me," I replied. "Want to know something else? Tasha agreed I should talk to you. Oh, and you're invited to dinner on Labor Day at her house."

"Did I walk through some weird rift in the space-time continuum and enter the Twilight Zone?" Clarissa asked, shaking her head.

"I asked myself that question on the drive home last night and today, on the way home from church after being accosted by a bevy of beautiful young women looking for a boyfriend!"

Clarissa laughed, "And now, the jilted young college student is going to go on a rampage, screwing every available High School girl in both parishes, just because he can?"

"I don't THINK so!" I laughed. "Though you know..."

"You're a pig, Petrovich, but not THAT much of a pig!"

"You ASSUME that's true, but you don't know!" I smirked.

"I know. If you WERE that much of a pig, you'd have taken my temperature already!"

"Any advice?"

"Besides collecting virginities like some guys collect baseball cards?" she smirked.

"Yes, besides that," I replied dryly.

"I assume we're not talking about the decision regarding you and Tasha fucking like bunnies."

"We'll leave that for later."

"I think you have a plan. Why ask me?"

"Advice, obviously."

"Go to class, study, go to church, spend time with me, be with Kristin when you need her, hang out with the gang, play your guitar, and see what happens."

"Which was pretty much what I came up with. In all seriousness, those girls at both churches are too young."

"Kimiko is interested in you; are you interested in her?"

"With my usual caveat, yes."

"Invite her to Doctor Blahnik's for dinner."

I shook my head, "No, that's the wrong approach. I want to talk to her more before I ask her on what amounts to a date. Milena can be my date. Let me call her and tell her I'm not bringing anyone."

I got up and went to the phone and called Milena and let her know I wouldn't be bringing anyone, then went back to the couch to sit with Clarissa.

"Petrovich, can I ask you a question?"

"You know you don't have to ask if you're permitted to ask!"

"Assuming you do what I know you're leaning towards doing, how are you going to feel afterwards?"

"That is the question, really. I keep asking myself if I'm going to feel obligated to marry her if I do it, and I keep coming back to the fact that I might; I just might."

"Do you think she knows that?"

"I'm sure she does, but she also doesn't think, in the end, that will sway me one way or the other."

"And you trust her on that? That she's not trying to entice you?"

"Certainly not consciously. And I don't think subconsciously, either. I can't prove that, of course, but I believe it."

"How long has she thought about this?"

"Sex with me?" I asked with a smirk. "Since she turned fourteen. Changing her mind about waiting for marriage? At least long enough to be on the Pill for three months."

"Whoa! That was unexpected!"

"You could have knocked ME over with a feather."

"She certainly doesn't seem like the type to try to trap you with a baby."

"Tasha? That would be the LAST thing she would do! She's certainly tried to tempt me with sex for the past three years, although the payoff would have been AFTER I asked her to marry me."

"What's giving you pause?"

"Something she said, believe it or not. She made the comment about wanting to be together, body, mind, heart, and soul. I've only ever been with one person that way."

"Jocelyn."

"Jocelyn," I confirmed. "And there have only been two girls with whom I've experienced three of four. Care to speculate?"

"I'm one of them," she smiled. "Mind, heart, and soul. Body yet to be determined."

I nodded, "Very good. And the other?"

"If the answer weren't obvious, you wouldn't have that somewhat smug look on your face. Have you hidden anything from me with regard to who you've been with?"

"You think I could lie to you?"

"No, but it's possible to tell the truth in creative ways."

"Lissa, if I do that to you, we'll be done. Never!"

"It has to be someone you haven't given your heart to but with whom you've slept and with whom you have a deep, almost spiritual relationship. That has to be Milena."

"You win a Kewpie doll!" I grinned.

"And that's why you believe you're going to feel you have to marry Tasha if you sleep with her."

I nodded, "Exactly. And, truth be told, it's one part of the reason for my extreme caution with you."

"And the other part being my taste for pussy?" she asked with a smirk.

"Can I taste yours?" I teased.

"Do you really want to?"

"Do you really want me to really want to?" I replied with a silly grin.

"And round and round we go!" Clarissa laughed.

"Speaking of your taste for girls, how are things with Glenda?"

"Really good. That very light peck she gave you was HUGE for her. And it was because you stood with me while I talked to my parents. For her, that kiss was tantamount to throwing you down on the ground and having her way with you!"

"That peck? Is THAT what I have to look forward to with you? Pass."

"Pass?! Pass?! You've French kissed me, Petrovich! You've had your hand on my tit! Tell me with a SERIOUS face you believe that!"

"I know better," I grinned. "And all you need to do is ask."

"Do you know how annoying you are?"

"Yes," I said smugly.

"«Мудак» (mudak)!" Clarissa spat. ("asshole")

"Wow! Your vocabulary is expanding!"

"Did I get the pronunciation right?"

"Spot on," I laughed.

"Back to your four-part test — I think I see your point very clearly. And here's my question for you, Petrovich. If I already have your heart, mind, and soul, doesn't the body follow naturally?"

I nodded, "Which is why I've said I'll say 'yes' to you IF you ask. But you see, you know what you're asking for and what the risks are, so you won't ask unless you are absolutely sure about how you'll feel afterwards."

"Satisfied," she smirked. "At least I hope so!"

"And your serious response?"

"That you're correct. And you know you have those things from me. But you've given more, really."

"How so?"

"By putting it in my hands. If I ask you to make love to me and then to marry me, you'll say yes."

"And the opposite isn't true?"

Clarissa smiled, "My answer is actually totally irrelevant because you will NEVER ask me. Ever."

"And we're OK?"

"Of course, we're OK, you «глупец» (glupys)! But there is one possibility you overlooked." ("blockhead")

"Oh?"

"Tasha is VERY sexy!" Clarissa said impishly.

"You'll see me in a threesome with Robby and Lee before THAT happens!"

"I'd PAY to see that!"

"I bet you would!"

August 29, 1983, McKinley, Ohio

"Well, White Boy, what's in it for me?"

"My undying friendship and I'll remove any police .38 ammo from your body for free for life!"

"Just .38?"

"Well, if they're using .44 Magnum rounds, and they blow your head clean off, I don't think there's a medical procedure to fix that!"

"Good thing you didn't say blow his brains out," Larry laughed, "because you'd never know the difference!"

Everyone at the breakfast table laughed.

"In all seriousness, will you help me with Statistics if I need it?"

"I promised to help him with his computer class," Kristin said.

"Yeah," Clark smirked, "but there is NO WAY he's compensating me the same way he's compensating YOU!"

That caused more laughter.

"What do you have besides computers and stats?" Larry asked.

"General Biochemistry I, Psych 101, and our research project. Clarissa and I worked it out, so we only have classes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Of course, we'll end up spending most of Tuesday and Thursday in the lab babysitting experiments. So, what do you say, Clark?"

"Of course, I'll help! You think I'm racist?"

"Only towards me!"

"Yeah, but that's a race of one — Russian white boys studying to be doctors at Taft. I can discriminate against you all I want!"

"Let me guess; the cops rousted you again this Summer."

"Like motherfucking clockwork. As soon as I get my first job, I'm getting my mom out of that shithole."

"Where to?" Sandy asked.

"Anywhere but Ohio; Cincinnati, McKinley, Toledo, it doesn't matter — they all suck. You guys are all cool, except Tsar Michael, but the rest of the state? Forget it!"

"Tsar Michael?" Clarissa laughed. "Don't give him any ideas!"

"Clark just missed me," I grinned. "He's also not happy with his new roommate."

"They stuck me with a Bible thumper!" he growled. "Mike was cool 'cause he kept all that shit to himself. Not my new roomie, oh no. He has to tell me that I need Jesus as my 'Personal Savior'. That dude is going to need a personal savior if he's not careful!"

"Nah," Melody laughed. "Just send him to talk to the Calvinist preacher. I bet there's some fine point of doctrine which will have them at each other's throats in an instant!"

"I still say we send Mike to talk to that preacher," Jeannette added. "The man's head will explode!"

"I'm surprised Dean Parker lets someone like him on campus," Kristin said.

"She doesn't have a choice," Melody replied. "She can't prohibit religion any more than she can declare an official school religion. And so long as he stays out of any non-public area, he can preach all he wants."

"How many kids does he rope in?" José asked.

"I don't know for sure," Melody said. "But there are always some. Are you Catholic?"

"Gee, whatever gave THAT away?" he deadpanned.

"Sorry; the guy is some form of hard-core Calvinist, so I don't think he even considers you and Mike Christians."

"Well, la-dee-dah!" José mocked. "He can take it up with the Pope or one of the Patriarchs!"

I nodded in agreement, "I'll give you an 'Amen!' for that!"

We finished breakfast and headed back to the dorms to get our books. Sandy, Clarissa, and I headed towards the liberal arts building, and I was surprised to see Kimiko walk into class behind us. Of course, we were in Psych 101, and that could be her choice of electives for first semester. The four of us sat in the front row and waited while the rest of the students filed in. The class appeared to be a mix of students, with most of them Sophomores, though I recognized one Senior.

Just before 8:00am, a bearded, bespectacled man walked in and went straight to the podium in the front of the room.

"I'm Doctor Rod Herbers, and this is Psychology 101. If you are in the wrong class, NOW is the time to leave."

He looked around, and when nobody got up, he continued.

"Good. I will take the roll, and then I'll begin the lecture straight away. When class is over, take a syllabus from the stack on the desk. Follow the readings closely. I expect you to have read and have a basic understanding of all the assigned material when you come to class. I'll call on random students, and your grade will depend, at least partly, on your ability to satisfy me with your answers. Let's begin."

He took the roll, which showed everyone who was supposed to be in class was in the room, and nobody who wasn't on his class list was in attendance.

"Psychology," he began, "is the science of behavior and mind, including conscious and unconscious phenomena, as well as feeling and thought. The word psychology derives from the Greek «ψυχή» (psychí), meaning 'soul', and «λογία» (logía) meaning 'words' or, sometimes, 'wisdom'. Thus, 'psychology' is words about the soul, just as 'biology' is words about life.